Ian Mouser
Founder/ Executive Director Emeritus
he/him
Ian founded My Voice Music in 2008 to provide a creative outlet for youth living in foster care and residential treatment settings to express themselves and find their own voice. Prior to founding MVM and leading as the organization’s visionary Executive Director, Mouser worked as a Program Director at Wilderness Trails (a free wilderness camp for youth in foster care), and as a Treatment Counselor and Music Teacher at Albertina Kerr Centers, serving youth experiencing mental health challenges. Music and songwriting was a way to build real relationships with youth and it became a transformative tool in his work. The stories Ian shared about his work soon inspired others to get involved…and the rest is history!
Since founding MVM Ian received a Skidmore Prize, presented by the Willamette Week to excellent emerging non-profit leaders (2011); he was one of 32 recipients nationally to receive a “Top of the Class” recognition by the National Afterschool Alliance, “celebrating passion, creativity and commitment to youth” in after-school settings (2014); and was a “runner up” for the Portland Business Journal’s “Forty under 40” awards recognizing leading executives under the age of 40 (2012). In 2020, Ian received the inaugural Lewis Prize, a $500,000 award given to three organizations across the U.S. that serve “low-income and historically marginalized communities.” Receiving the Lewis Prize was a huge accomplishment that gave Ian a chance to reflect on his life’s work and create a blueprint for MVM’s future.
As a musician, Mouser performed with NW bands whose songs have been played at the MTV Video Music Awards and other interesting spots. He continued to write and perform original music in his spare time.
In October, 2021, Ian died while pursuing a dream of cycling across the United States. Ian left the organization both highly stable and poised to realize major initiatives to expand MVM programs to new parts of the city and state.
Amy Sabin
Executive Director
amy@myvoicemusic.org
she/her
Amy has a deep and personal connection to My Voice Music's mission, truly believing in the therapeutic power of music. She was the Managing Director of the Portland and Oregon chapters of the American Institute of Architects where she worked for 17 years and was on the board of Rock 'n Roll Camp for Girls for many years. Through that role she was introduced to My Voice Music's work by MVM founder, Ian Mouser. At music production and licensing B-Corp, Marmoset Music, Amy was a member of the Executive Team as the Head of Client Services. Amy has been part of the Portland music scene for many years and fronts a band, Shadowlands, with her identical twin sister, her husband, and a friend. Amy is the proud parent to three amazing creative young men; a drummer, a guitarist, and an artist; and to one mutt with hints of sharp-pei and notes of a weimereiner, Nola.
Monica Metzler
Satellite Program Director & Therapist
monica@myvoicemusic.org
she/her
Monica is in charge of all things program related. Contact her to learn how to sign up a young musician, or have MVM come to your school or program. Monica has over a decade of experience as a facilitator, youth mentor, and program coordinator for various arts nonprofits. Her focus is on supporting youth and families who are experiencing mental health challenges, medical and social complexities, trauma, and loss. Monica received her Masters in Marriage, Child, and Family Therapy (MCFT) from Lewis & Clark where she studied systems theory with a social justice and equity lens. At MVM, she provides expressive arts therapy to youth, couples, and families of all configurations. Monica is committed to social and racial justice, and guided by the belief that mental health services should be available to all, regardless of income or insurance. Partnering with MVM, she created a sliding scale model of inclusive therapy where no one is denied access to services for lack of funds. Monica also runs many of our groups in residential treatment centers using music as a therapeutic tool to transform difficult emotions and trauma into a positive, empowering experience. Monica is a life-long musician, songwriter, performer, and producer. She's a project oriented person who likes to collaborate and build on creative ideas with others. You can usually find her in the outdoors spending time with her dog and partner, cooking delicious meals, and laughing loudly with family and friends.
Luke Hall
Studio Director
luke@myvoicemusic.org
he/him
Luke is My Voice Music’s Studio Director. If you are looking for studio time and information, he is the guy to speak to. Luke runs recording sessions and weekly programs out of our studio space. He earned a Master of Social Work from Portland State University in 2023. He is a Portland, Oregon based dad, singer/songwriter, producer, and backyard maintenance enthusiast. Born in Nebraska, he lived all over the world as a military brat before calling southern Oregon home in 1999. In 2009 he received a B.S. in Music Industry from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and worked in music publishing until 2013 when he returned to Oregon. While in LA, he worked for Chrysalis, Bug and BMG in Film/TV and A&R as a scout and creative point person for various artists.
Karen Mouser Darr
Development Director
karen@myvoicemusic.org
she/her
Karen has led My Voice Music’s fundraising initiatives since its founding in 2008 and has a passion for people and connection. Karen and her late husband, MVM Founder Ian Mouser, met in 2003 while working in the residential treatment center where Ian ran his first music groups which later became My Voice Music. Karen was born and raised in San Francisco and has sung in choirs throughout her life. She has a B.A. in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College and has worked with children and families in various settings from residential treatment, to foster care, to early intervention since 2003.
Trent Finlay
Communications Director, Program Leader
trent@myvoicemusic.org
he/him
Trent is a multi-talented musician who works with our artist mentorship youth and stewards the MVM’s storytelling as our Communications Director an in-house photographer/videographer. Trent began volunteering for My Voice Music in 2010 and has been integral part of the MVM team since. His passion for serving Portland nonprofits is profound. Many local charities can point to Trent as a vital resource who assisted them at a critical time including, PHAME Academy, p:ear, Live Wire Radio, The Pongo Fund, and others. He’s a founding member of northwest bands Sweet Lou & the Trent Foundation and Wester Daywick and has a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts from the Evergreen State College.
Natasha Threatts
Operations Administrator
natasha@myvoicemusic.org
Natasha, a nonprofit administrator with 5+ years of experience in budget management, logistical planning, and community outreach, is passionate about the arts and believes in the power of music to transform lives. She has worked with inner city youth in Chicago, youth empowerment for girls in Boston, and immigrant and refugee populations in Portland. A current foster parent to four children, Natasha is a fierce advocate for all children to have access to the arts.
Chris Arnold
Program Leader, MVM Across Oregon Manager
chris@myvoicemusic.org
he/him
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Chris is an active multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who has enjoyed a lifelong passion for music in the Pacific Northwest. Initially a guitarist by trade, he played in a variety of musical projects ranging from rock to jazz. He eventually found his own voice while traveling solo in Ireland and playing music around the country; an experience that inspired him to begin writing his own music. His songs have since been played on national radio and in independent films. Chris plays shows regularly, and is looking forward to recording his newest material with his latest musical project.
Chris is a graduate of the Portland State University Honors College. He earned his degree in psychology, with a focus on music therapy. His published thesis on a theorized music therapy program for acculturative stress has over seven hundred downloads and counting. Given his passion for music, as well as his dedication towards music as a therapeutic outlet, he considers working for My Voice Music to be a dream scenario, and is thrilled to be contributing to the program as well as the community he loves.
Rainyanni Paris
Program Leader, Summer Camp Director
rainyanni@myvoicemusic.org
she/her
Rainyanni Paris is a recording artist (aka [E]mpress) residing in good old P-Town. Coming from a vast background of creative direction, some of her talents include playing instruments such as the drums, guitar, vocals and the occasional kazoo! From working the stages at Northwest Children’s Theater to teaching little ones the basics of music, Rainyanni has always pursued art and how it positively affects us all.